DNA-binding and photocleavage properties of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes with DNA and their toxicity studies on eukaryotic microorganisms.

Four Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(bpy)(2)(7-NO(2)-dppz)](2+), [Ru(bpy)(2)(7-CH(3)-dppz)](2+), [Ru(phen)(2)(7-NO(2)-dppz)](2+), and [Ru(phen)(2)(7-CH(3)-dppz)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), (7-Nitro-dppz = 7-Nitro dipyrido[3,2-a:2'-3'-c]phenazine, 7-CH(3)-dppz = 7-Methyl dipyrido[3,2-a:2'-3'-c]phenazine), have been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV, elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, (13)C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The DNA-binding properties of the four complexes were investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that all four complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode. Under irradiation at 365 nm, all four complexes were found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA. Toxicological effects of the selected complexes were performed on industrially important yeasts (eukaryotic microorganisms).